Koh Phangan is an island paradise
in the Gulf of Thailand (Southern Region). It is
about 100 km from Surat Thani Province and about
15 km from the famous Koh Samui Island. Koh Phangan
is the largest of Samui's neighboring islets with
an area of 168 sq km. Over 70% of its total area
is mountains and tropical forest. Lowlands are beaches
and coconut fields.

About 8,000 people live on Koh Phangan. Some
are Chinese, whose ancestors migrated from China
more than hundred years ago. The main population
lives in Thongsala Town. Standard Thai is used
as the official language but the southern dialect
is more widely spoken among the local people.